NHL: Trading Gaborik changed Rangers' fortune

Washington Capitals left wing Martin Erat, of the Czech Republic, and New York Rangers right wing Derek Dorsett (15) are upended after colliding in the first period of Game 3 of their first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in New York, Monday, May 6, 2013. The Rangers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK — For the 29 other NHL teams, it went down simply as “the Marian Gaborik trade.” But for the New York Rangers, they’re hoping the events of April 3 mark the day they took their first real step toward winning the Stanley Cup.

On a day in which the Blueshirts also picked up Ryane Clowe from San Jose, the 31-year-old Gaborik, arguably one of the most skilled snipers in the league, was shipped to the Columbus Blue Jackets along with two minor leaguers in a stunning deal. In exchange for Gaborik, New York got a potpourri of talent in 25-year-old center Derick Brassard, then-injured 26-year-old right wing Derek Dorsett, 22-year-old defenseman John Moore and a sixth-round draft choice.

“We just weren’t headed in the right direction,” said Rangers forward Arron Asham. “Our games (collectively) weren’t where they were supposed to be, and we made a couple trades. It seemed to get the ball rolling for us and get our season back on track.”

That’s a bit of an understatement. At the time of the deal, New York was on the verge of missing the postseason just one year removed from an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Instead, the Rangers collected points in 10 of the 13 games played after the trade deadline and earned the sixth seed in a very competitive Eastern Conference.

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“I think our team — nothing against Gabby — but I think our team is better off now than it was before the deadline,” Asham said.

“They gave us a little more sandpaper; guys like Dorse and Clowe. You throw in an offensive guy like Moorsey and Brash, and we got some pretty good players. Clowe’s a big body that thrives in the playoffs, and that’s the kind of guy we need. Same with Dorse...he’s got that style where he plays hard every night and he gives it 110 percent. Those are the kind of guys we need in the playoffs.”

The most heralded addition of the Columbus trio was Brassard, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, sandwiched between Phil Kessel and Kyle Okposo. Now in his sixth season, the Quebec native hadn’t played in a postseason contest in his NHL career, and says that while he wasn’t expecting a trade, he and his teammates didn’t mind the change of scenery.

“We were pretty excited just to come here to such a good team with some really good players, and also to have a chance to win the Cup and be part of the playoffs,” Brassard said. “We were really excited about it. It’s been awesome just to be around here and play at MSG, it’s been a lot of fun for us.”

Just getting on the ice at all has been both fun and unexpected for Dorsett, who was believed to be out for the year after fracturing his collarbone earlier in the season with the Blue Jackets. But his recovery went better than anticipated, and he was able to make his team debut in New York’s 1-0 loss to Washington in Game 2.

“Knowing that when we clinched the playoff spot, it was exciting for me to know that I was going to play again this year and to be in the playoffs with my new teammates,” said Dorsett, who didn’t have the 13-game luxury of getting accustomed to his new squad like Brassard and Moore did.

“Obviously, I came with them and I got to hang around the guys and watch from upstairs. I’ve been to a lot of team dinners and things like that, so I got to know a lot of the guys that way. But it’s different than being on the ice with them.”

But it isn’t as simple as just learning the tendencies of new linemates. Dorsett also had to learn a completely different system than the one Columbus head coach Todd Richards used, although that hasn’t been as big an adjustment as one might think.

“I haven’t really sat back and really thought about it, to be honest with you,” he said. “Obviously every team and every coach has different philosophies, and they play a different style, but it’s great. I love the style they play here. It’s up-tempo, it’s fast, it’s getting in hard on the forecheck and that’s the way I like to play.”

For defensemen, however, John Tortorella’s style is a bit more difficult to get used to. But Moore, another former first-rounder, was also on a quick learning curve -- he posted one point and a minus-5 rating in 17 games with Columbus, but managed six points and a plus-9 in just 13 games with the Rangers.

“It definitely had its challenges, especially defensively I think,” Moore said. “But the coaches here were great with me in terms of doing video and stuff, and we communicate pretty well as a team too. I feel like I’ve got more and more comfortable after every game and now, you’re not even thinking about it, it’s just reaction.”

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The Montreal Canadiens announced the signing of Princeton University goaltender Mike Condon to a two-year contract.

“I am humbled and honored to join the Montreal Canadiens organization,” Condon said in a release issued by the school. “I cannot wait to start working for one of the most storied franchises in all of sports, and I am grateful for the opportunity.”

Condon, 23, finished his four-year college career with the Tigers this season, posting career-bests in goals against average (2.48) and save percentage (.923) before earning opportunities with the ECHL’s Ontario Reign and AHL’s Houston Aeros.

“We are beyond happy for Mike,” said Princeton head coach Bob Prier. “This is a tremendous opportunity for him and he deserves it. He worked incredibly hard this past season with coach Greg Gardner and we’re so proud of him.”